Couch, Danverse S. 1830-1897

COUCH, BLACKMAN, BAILEY, MCCALMONT

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 4/25/2005 at 21:43:48

The Newton Record 26 Feb 1897
Death of Dan Couch
Couch, Danverse S.

D. S. Couch, one of the early settlers of Jasper County, and one of the best-known men in the county, died at the Mason House, Colfax, last Saturday morning, Feb. 20th, aged sixty-seven years. The funeral services were held in the parlors of the hotel Sunday afternoon, after which a special train brought the remains and a large company of friends to Newton where the interment was made in our city cemetery.

Danverse S. Couch was born in Baltimore, Ohio, Feb 1, 1830. He resided in Indianapolis, Ind., from 1848 to 1856, in which year he came to Newton and for several years was engaged as stage and express agent. He afterward engaged in coal mining and was active among those who first opened up the coalmines in Palo Alto Township, which for several years was one of the leading industries of Jasper County. He was subsequently superintendent of the Newton & Monroe R. R., in the successful building of which he was one of the prime movers, in the company with Mr. Griggs of Davenport and other capitalists, who afterward transferred the road to the C. R. I. & P. Co. The immense coalmines at Oswalt were opened by the company, of which Mr. Couch was a member and manager until the breaking down of his health several months ago. He was also engaged in mercantile business in Colfax. He was generally successful in his business ventures and leaves an estate estimated at about $30,000.

In 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Blackman of this city, and to them were born tow daughters ­ Mrs. Hattie Bailey and Mrs. Jennie McCalmont ­ both of who and their mother survived the husband and father. Mrs. Couch has been an invalid for years and is now at Eureka Springs, Ark., attended by her elder daughter.

During all the years spent in this city and county, Mr. Couch has always merited and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of everybody, and his death is sincerely mourned by all who have known him.

Originally submitted on Fri Jul 26 18:20:11 2002